Bryce Young is preparing for the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons, focusing on the present rather than reflecting on last season’s 44-38 overtime win. In that game, Young threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more, working with offensive linemen Cade Mays and Chandler Zavala, who are expected to start again this week due to injuries to Austin Corbett and Robert Hunt.
“Again, not the answer you’re looking for, but I’m really not a look-back guy; I’m just telling you my truth,” Young said Wednesday. “Again, I’m super grateful. I’m grateful for where I’m at, I’m grateful to be a part of this team. I’m grateful for everything we have this year.
“And I couldn’t be more excited, to be able to go out with this group again on Sunday, so that’s really all my focus is.”
Young acknowledged the loss of Corbett and Hunt but expressed confidence in Mays and Zavala stepping up. “Obviously, just as a team as a person, I feel for Corb, feel for Rob, feel for the guys that went down,” he said. “Throughout the team, throughout the league, it’s a rough game, and obviously there are those consequences. So just as people I feel for them and everything that guys are going through.
“When it comes to Cade and guys stepping up, I’m super comfortable with everyone. Again it’s a lot of experience in that room especially experience in the system experience here. That definitely is a luxury for us having a lot of reps with Cade other guys that they’re going to step up that have already played downs. I’m grateful for that being able to have that experience and that confidence so it’s next man up.”
Receiver Xavier Legette was limited in practice Wednesday due to hamstring soreness detected during individual drills. Panthers head coach Dave Canales explained they decided to hold Legette out after noticing discomfort.
“He started off the practice and he got through the individual part of it,” Canales said following practice. “And then we just thought it was smart to just kind of shut him down for the day. We’ll reevaluate him and see where we’re at tomorrow.”
Teammates voiced support for Legette’s continued role in the offense despite his injury status.
“I have all the confidence in the world in him; he’s a great player,” Young said about Legette Wednesday. “He’s going to be great for us. He’s a huge part of this offense…I’m excited for this week. I’m excited for the weeks following for him.”
Receiver Tetairoa McMillan added: “I’m not worried about him at all…We all preach about the ball finder, and I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to come out on Sunday and make a play…”
Canales also took responsibility as coach: “It’s not all on X. This is me too…I have to make sure I do a great job of putting him in positions to do things he’s shown us he can do well…for all the guys remember who you are remember what you’ve been at your best…”
The Panthers’ defense will face running back Bijan Robinson from Atlanta this weekend—he has performed strongly against Carolina before with 332 rushing yards over four games against them including two touchdowns last season alone.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris called Robinson “definitely the best player in football without a doubt.” Canales praised Robinson’s versatility: “He’s just a really balanced player he’s explosive in run game and pass game…he’s got great vision power quickness speed…”
Last week Carolina held Arizona’s run offense under 100 yards—their best performance stopping runs since last year—but Canales stressed teamwork would be needed against Robinson: “Play together team tackle…When you have fantastic player like this it takes multiple people…trying limit amount space he gets…”
Veterans Jaycee Horn (cornerback) and Hunter Renfrow (wide receiver) were given rest days Wednesday; Renfrow played 69 snaps last Sunday—his most ever—and had previously been listed with rib issues.
“Great,” Canales said when asked how Renfrow handled physical strain recently.”And battling through some bumps bruises last week too…I’m excited about progression Hunter’s been on.”
On Atlanta’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who has started five NFL games so far (completing 60 percent passes), corner Mike Jackson noted challenges preparing due limited available film: “It’s kind hard go off one game—like he’s had what five starts give or take—so it’s kind hard say he looks different from last year…”
Jackson added: “They got weapons…they want get their playmakers ball.”
